Pearl Delights

Experience Uganda. Discover Heaven.

12 days

Age 12+

Sep, Oct, Nov

Availability 12

Uganda is a dream destination wrapped in a tiny beautiful bundle. It has near-perfect weather year round, a wide variety of birds and wildlife, one of the friendliest and most ethnically diverse populations in Africa, the biggest population of Mountain Gorilla, and the most magnificent natural scenery in Africa. Little wonder some people think Uganda is where God resides!

Pearl Delights is a signature safari by Trekking Timmy. This 12 day safari highlights the best experiences heavenly Uganda has to offer. It is designed with options for road and inland flight transfer and offers Gorilla Tracking, Rhino Tracking, Wildlife Safaris, Nature Trekking, and Scenic Drives through some of the most beautiful countrysides you will ever see.

The package comes in Group and Private categories, with options for Budget and Luxury travel.

FULL ITINERARY

All days start at first light so make quick friends with your alarm clock if you are not an early riser. The drives are scenic and fitted with breaks to ease road fatigue, the roads are well-maintained and include highways, dirt roads, and off-road tracks. However, while the vistas on the drives are breathtaking, explorers on this safari are advised to carry some snacks, a good book, or a playlist for their entertainment— some travelers are just not that into nature…

Day 1: Arrival at Entebbe International Airport

When you arrive at Entebbe International Airport, a Safari Specialist will be waiting to pick you up and take you to your hotel. In case you need help on anything, our Safari Specialist is on call to attend to you. Depending on what time your flight arrives, you may tryout an optional activity or relax at your hotel.

Optional: BodaBoda Tour, Night Life

Day 2: Transfer—Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park

You depart for Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park first thing in the morning. The drive is between 8-9 hours through lowland country and high altitude terrain. Our first stop is at the Equator, a fantastic spot for photo-ops with one foot in the northern hemisphere and another in the southern hemisphere.

Our next stop is Uganda’s dairy capital, Mbarara. Here we’ll stop for lunch and stretch our legs a bit before embarking on the final leg of today’s drive. This part of the drives is arguably the finest. It goes through green country with snippets of local village life and endless views of scenic hills. When your vehicle leaves the highway and turns into dusty country road surrounded by rain-forest trees on either side, you can begin to whet your teeth for a breath-taking encounter with Earth’s largest ape. You are now in Gorilla Country.

Optional: N/A

Day 3: Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Gorilla Experience

Bwindi Forest is home to more than half the world’s population of Mountain Gorilla—the world’s most endangered ape—and is one of Africa’s biggest tourist destinations. Mountain Gorillas are said to be man’s closest cousins and can only be found in Uganda, Rwanda and DR Congo.

Watching these beautiful creatures go about their daily business—feeding, grooming each other, playing, resting, and completely unbothered with their admirers—is a truly incredible experience. It’s hard to believe how similar they are to their human cousins. A close encounter with these majestic beasts is unforgettable.

The Bwindi jungle is thick and lies on volcano slopes; while the average person can handle it without a fuss, the trek can be strenuous if your physical condition is not too good. Porters can be arranged to carry your day-pack and help you up the slopes if needed; remember to inform your Safari Specialist beforehand. Uganda Wildlife Authority is strict on protecting this natural treasure: a maximum of 8 tourists per day are permitted to visit a habituated group, and once the first Gorilla is spotted you are allowed strictly one hour to stay with these majestic beasts, but every second will be worth it.

Optional: Porter Fees ($10-$20), Culture Experience

Day 4: Transfer— Masindi

Today we transfer through Western Uganda to Masindi. The drive will go through Queen Elizabeth National Park, through the Ishasha sector famously known for having tree climbing. Here you stand a chance of seeing buffalo and elephant herds grazing by the roadside. We’ll stop for lunch in Fort Portal, Uganda’s tourist capital, stretch our legs in the healing air of the great Rwenzori’s foothills, then head off for Masindi town.

If time permits, we’ll visit a few cultural landmarks like the tombs of Omukama Kabalega, a pre-colonial monarch greatly revered for leading an 8-year resistance against British rule. Otherwise the drive will head straight for Masindi where you’ll spend the night and prepare for the next day’s adventure.

Optional: Masindi Nightlife, Culture Experience

Day 5: Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Gulu Town

We promised you the best of Uganda on this trip and today you get a taste of our contribution to Rhino conversation. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary is a haven for the endangered White Rhino which is run privately but in partnership with Uganda Wildlife Authority. Here you’ll track Rhinos and learn about conversation in Africa before heading to our final destination of the day, Gulu town.

One of the best things about Uganda is its warm, friendly people, and no where does it get better than Gulu town. Gulu is a large town that has seen tremendous recovery from two-decades of a civil war led by the rebel gang, Lord’s Resistance Army. It’s a lively town bustling with life and one of the most energetic nights scenes in Uganda. Checkout Gulu’s nightlife and find out why hundreds flock its streets every weekend, from places as far off as Juba.

Optional: Gulu Nightlife

Day 6: Transfer— Kidepo Valley National Park

Our destination today is Uganda’s premier wildlife conservation area, Kidepo Valley National Park. On this drive you’ll see a different side of rural life from the western region where our safari begun. Here the land is flat and undulating as far as the eyes can see, and different crops are grown. Enjoy the splendour of Kidepo.

Optional: N/A

Day 7: Kidepo Valley National Park, Wildlife Experience

Kidepo Valley National Park is the ideal location for a classic African bush safari, and on this day you’ll find out why it is a four-time World Travel Awards nominee. Situated at Uganda’s border with South Sudan and Kenya, Kidepo is Uganda’s most isolated park but a jewel for wildlife lovers. The park is famous for harbouring large herds of zebra, antelope, bushback, and buffalo.

Unlike other parks in Africa, the safari experience in Uganda is not commercial. There are no staged appearances, or wild animals waiting for a perfect photo. Here we track wildlife to find it, and no where is the experience of tracking wild animals as exciting as it is in Kidepo. The best time to visit Kidepo is in the dry season when the tracks are more navigable and the animals gather around the Narus valley—the only year-round water source in the park. It’s a great spot for birders and hikers as well, and lovers of the open country will enjoy the scenic drives through the park. Every major tropical creature from the elephant and bushback, to the lion and leopard, can be found here in large numbers.

Optional: Evening Wildlife Expedition

Day 8: Kidepo Valley National Park, Culture Experience

Several centuries ago, a group of nomads from the Ethiopian highlands came to this region in search of a better home. Some would head south to form the Kalenjin and Masai in present Kenya, other would head northwest and become the Jie of South Sudan. A group of elders being taken up by the beauty of the plains surrounding Kidepo, told the young ones, “let us settle here.” However, the younger ones who went on to form the Teso and Langi further south, would call this “ekar ngimojong” meaning the old men can go no further. This is how Karamoja got its name.

On this day you will visit a village community and experience a hand-on engagement with nomadic-pastoral traditions that have existed since the Karamojong first settled here. You will learn about the history of the people and see more of the country side surrounding the park, then return to the hotel in the evening.

Optional: N/A

Day 9: Transfer— Kapchorwa

Today we head south, along the eastern border region of Uganda, for the final serving of our Pearl Delights: the magical hills of Kapchorwa. Tucked inside the foothills of Mount Elgon, Kaphcorwa is a farming region with elegant hills and one of the most serene climes. Besides the engaging drives through rocky country with dramatic transitions into green plains, then rolling hills, the main attraction of this drive is the climb up Kapchorwa’s hills. On checking in at the hotel, you may opt to go for a village trek, visit a coffee farm, or simply recline in your hotel and enjoy the serenading serenity of Kapchworwa nights.

Optional: Coffee Farm Experience, Village Trek

Day 10: Sipi Falls, Transfer— Source of the Nile

We rise for an early morning trek to the magnificent Sipi Falls. Formed from a river whose source is at the top of Mount Elgon, the waters of these falls are crisp clear and believed by locals to have healing powers. After sipping in the beauty of Sipi Falls, we drive to straight to Jinja, the adventure capital of Uganda and home of the source of the Nile.

Optional: Adventure Sports in Jinja, Kampala Nightlife

Day 11: Jinja, Adventure Sports

Jinja is an active town with lots of adventure sports and recreational activities. Today is a free day so you may opt to do one of these activities. Adventures in Jinja include Bungee jumping at the Nile, White-water rafting, Quad biking, Kayaking, Village biking, and so much more. We return to Kampala in the evening